Football training device

ABSTRACT

A training aid for throwing and catching a football. The present invention includes a cord having a first end opposite a second end. A first bracket attaches the first end of the cord to the first end of the football. A second bracket is attached to the second end of the cord. The present invention further includes a mount. The mount is securable to a structure, such as a door frame or a ceiling stud. The second bracket releasably attaches to the mount.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/380,736, filed Aug. 29, 2016, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to practicing football skills and, more particularly, to a football training device.

Currently, when throwing a football, a first individual is needed to throw the ball and a second individual is needed to catch the ball. A single person cannot properly practice throwing and catching a football by oneself.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device for practicing throwing and catching a football by oneself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a throwing and catching training aid comprises: a football comprising an outer skin and an inner bladder and having a prolate spheroid shape with a first end opposite a second end; a cord comprising a rubber elasticity and having a first end opposite a second end; a first bracket attaching the first end of the cord to the first end of the football, wherein at least a portion of the first bracket is embedded within the football in between the inner bladder and the outer skin; a second bracket attached to the second end of the cord; and a mount securable to a structure, wherein the second bracket is secured to the mount.

In another aspect of the present invention, a throwing and catching training aid comprises: a football comprising an outer skin and an inner bladder and having a prolate spheroid shape with a first end opposite a second end; a cord comprising a rubber elasticity and having a first end opposite a second end; a first bracket attaching the first end of the cord to the first end of the football; a second bracket attached to the second end of the cord; at least one swivel secured to one of the first bracket and the second bracket, wherein the football is operable to rotate 360 degrees about the swivel; and a mount securable to a structure, wherein the second bracket is secured to the mount.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention in use;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail elevation view with parts broken away, indicated by line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detail elevation view with parts broken away of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view with parts broken away of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes a single user football throwing and receiving device. The present invention is designed to allow a single person to throw and catch a football. The present invention may include a standard American football, ranging from youth up to National Football League (NFL) and collegiate sizes. The present invention further includes an internally secured grommet connection loop, followed by a quick connect/disconnect bungee cord system mounted to a door or wall. The present invention allows a single person to throw and catch a football without surface alterations in an indoor residential location.

In certain embodiments, the present invention utilizes a bungee cord and two swivel clip brackets. The present invention mounts to a solid door or structural wall. When the door or wall mount is positioned at the proper height of about 7-8 ft from floor, the bungee/swivel design returns the football to the user in a natural football receiving motion and angle (waist to shoulder height of user at a downward angle) regardless of the initial football launch trajectory. When the ball is thrown, the ball suspends out into the open space of the room approximately 6.5-7.5 ft before directly returning to the upper half of the user's body. Further, the present invention re-creates a natural throwing and receiving motion.

The football of the present invention may be fastened to the bungee cord system internally, built with a nylon washer secured nylon Para cord loop mounted in between the interior football air bladder and the exterior bladder cover. A grommet nylon loop is inserted between the air bladder and cover using a small incision on either pointed end of the football which allows the football to rotate a full 360 degrees. As mentioned above, the present invention may further include two swivel clip brackets attached to the external bungee cord system which allows the football to spin free of resistance and thereby does not impact the surface area, weight or trajectory resistance of the football.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention includes a training aid 10 for throwing and catching a football 15. The present invention includes a cord 32 having a first end opposite a second end. A first bracket 17 attaches the first end of the cord 32 to the first end of the football 15. A second bracket 19 is attached to the second end of the cord 32. The present invention further includes a mount 23. The mount 23 is securable to a structure 12, such as a door frame or a ceiling stud. The second bracket 19 releasably attaches to the mount 23.

The football 15 of the present invention may include a convention American football having a prolate spheroid shape with a first end opposite a second end. The first end and the second end are the opposing points of the football 15. The football 15 includes an outer skin 16 and an inner bladder 18. The outer skin 16 may be made of leather, synthetics or other materials used to make a football 15. The inner bladder 18 is disposed within the outer skin 16. The inner bladder 18 may be inflatable to maintain a pressure level within the football 15.

The cord 32 of the present invention may include an elongated bungee cord having a rubber elasticity. Therefore, the cord 32 may be stretched and then return to its original form. The cord 32 includes the first end opposite the second end. The first end may be looped and secured to itself by a connector 24 c and the second end may be looped and secured to itself by a connector 24 b. The first bracket 17 attaches to the loop of the first end and the second bracket 19 attaches to the loop of the second end.

The first bracket 17 of the present invention attaches the first end of the cord 32 to the football 15. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the first bracket 17 is embedded within the football in between the inner bladder 18 and the outer skin 16.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first bracket 17 may include a cord 20 forming a loop. The ends of the cord 20 are secured together by a connector 24 a. A washer 22 a is disposed over the ends of the cord 15. In such embodiments, the ends of the cord 20 and the washer 22 a are the portion embedded within the football 15 and the loop is protruding from the football 15. The football 15 may rotate 360 degree about a vertical axis the washer 22 a. The first bracket 17 may further include a clip 26 a, such as a carabiner clip. The clip 26 a releasably attaches to the loop of the cord 20. A swivel 28 a may be secured to an end of the clip 26 a. The first bracket 17 and thereby the football 15 may rotate 360 degrees about the swivel 28 a. The swivel 28 a is attached to the first end of the cord 32 by a ring 30 a. The first end of the cord 32 may wrap around the ring 30 a and may be secured to itself by the connector 24 c.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first bracket 17 may include a grommet 40 and a washer 22 b. In such embodiments, the first end of the cord 32 may be looped. The grommet 40 is attached the cord 32 at the first end and maintains the loop. The washer 22 b may be secured to the first end of the cord 32 above the loop and the grommet 40. The loop, the grommet 40 and the washer 22 b are embedded within the football 15 in between the inner bladder 18 and the outer skin 16. The football 15 may rotate 360 degrees about a vertical axis of the washer 22 b.

As mentioned above, the second bracket 19 is attached to the second end of the cord 32. The second bracket 19 may include a clip 26 b, such as a carabiner clip. The clip 26 b releasably attaches to the mount 23. A swivel 28 b may be secured to an end of the clip 26 b. The second bracket 19 and thereby the football 15 may rotate 360 degrees about the swivel 28 b. The swivel 28 b is attached to the second end of the cord 32 by a ring 30 b. The second end of the cord 32 may wrap around the ring 30 b and may be secured to itself by the connector 24 b.

The mount 23 of the present invention secures to a structure 12, such as a door way or a wall. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the mount 23 a may include a flat strap 34 having a first end opposite a second end. The first end of the flat strap 34 may include a stopper 34 a. The stopper 34 a is a bulge protruding above and/or below the plane of the flat strap 34. For example, the stopper 34 a may include the first end of the flat strap 34 folded over and sewn to itself. In such embodiments, the flat strap 34 may be sandwiched in between a door 14 and the structure 12, and the stopper 34 a prevents the flat strap 34 from sliding out. The second end of the flat strap includes an aperture, such as a grommet 35. The clip 26 b of the second bracket 19 releasably attaches to the grommet 35, supporting the cord 32 and the football 16 in an elevated position.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the mount 23 b may includes a screw eye 36. The screw eye 36 is formed of a rigid material, such as metal. The screw eye 36 includes a looped portion and a threaded portion. A washer 38 may be placed over the threaded portion and the threaded portion is screwed into the structure 12, such as a ceiling or stud. The clip 26 b of the second bracket 19 releasably attaches to the looped portion, supporting the cord 32 and the football 16 in an elevated position.

A method of using the present invention with a pinch mount (strap) may include the following. Starting at the stationary top door pinch mount, the user stands directly in front of the mount location at a distance slightly further than arms reach from the door. The user throws the football in a forward direction at nearly any angle, height or force, and the height of hand-to-football release point balances and equalizes resistances in comparison to the door mount location. Reduced resistance on the football trajectory is achieved using the duel two-way 360° swivel combination on either end of the elastic cord, and optionally one additional nylon grommeted connection point inside the football cover. In synchrony with the football trajectory as it travels to the max bungee stretch distance, the spiral football launch trajectory remains virtually unchanged during forward and return.

At this point, the football has been mounted to the door and thrown by the user from stationary position, reaching max bungee stretch distance. Bungee fiber and strength levels now begin to reverse the football trajectory pathway, while maintaining the initial spiral launch motion, returning the football to the user's frontal area at a height ranging from the user's waist to head, most frequently returning within about 16-20 inches of the door mount point. The return football trajectory pathway places the football within arms distance of the user's original throw release point, and can be repeated in rapid succession.

A method of making an embodiment of the present invention may include the following. A para cord is cut to size and then looped and secured by a plastic securing device at the open end of the para cord. The para cord is then inserted through the plastic flat washer. The anchor is then inserted into the incision of the football with the loop of the para cord (anchor) sticking out of the incision. The incision is then sewed closed around the anchor for extra security without sewing the anchor to the ball and leaving the anchor free to rotate a full 360 degrees while being contained securely within the football.

The bungee cord is cut to size. On both sides of the bungee a plastic connecting clip is slipped on to the bungee. The bungee is then looped around a plastic clip end. The loop is then closed and secured by a ⅛ metal hog clip. This process is done on both ends of bungee/shock cord.

To prepare the mounting strap, a nylon heavy weight strap is cut to size. The strap is then folded at one end in the fold of three and sewed into place. At the other end of the strap a hole is created. An eyelet/grommet is then inserted into the hole and secured. The strap is completed.

The present invention is now ready to be fully assembled for operation. The present invention is connected to one end of the bungee by connecting the anchor to the plastic connecting rotational clip. On the other end of the bungee/shock cord the plastic rotational clip is connected to the eyelet of the mounting strap. The strap is then placed over an open door by the folded side of strap. The door is then closed securing the folded side of the strap into the closed door. The full assembly of the present invention is now complete for operation and is ready for use.

In alternate embodiments, the rotational 360 degree clips can be substituted to achieve a like or identical function with other rotating clips and devices. The hog ties may instead include zip ties, fishing wire, removed by sewing the bungee, secured by metal ferrous, cord locks and metal crimps. The para cord may be substituted by any nylon rope, or thick string strong enough to withstand the force and resistance of being thrown. The nylon strap could be substituted with denim, cotton, polyester, silk, rubber, wood, metal, plastic or anything durable enough to withstand the force of the football being thrown. The football can be interchanged by a nerf football, tennis ball, and a soccer ball. The eyelet can be interchanged with a rubber grummet or a bare hole lacking exact shape made in the door mount, a washer, nylon or metal.

The present invention may further include Wifi, RFID or GPS electronic tracking systems on the football to measure trajectory data, linked to a digital APP software for digital video gaming system. The present invention may further include improved material composite grade of the 2-way 360° swivel slips, which may reduce friction and resistance against the natural football trajectory angles and velocity.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A throwing and catching training aid comprising: a football comprising an outer skin and an inner bladder and having a prolate spheroid shape with a first end opposite a second end; a cord comprising a rubber elasticity and having a first end opposite a second end; a first bracket attaching the first end of the cord to the first end of the football, wherein at least a portion of the first bracket is embedded within the football in between the inner bladder and the outer skin; a second bracket attached to the second end of the cord; and a mount securable to a structure, wherein the second bracket is secured to the mount.
 2. The training aid of claim 1, wherein the first bracket comprises a cord forming a loop, wherein ends of the cord are secured together and a washer is disposed over the ends, wherein the ends of the cord and the washer is the portion embedded within the football and the loop is protruding from the football.
 3. The training aid of claim 2, wherein the first bracket further comprises a clip and a swivel, wherein the clip is releasably attached to the loop of the cord and the first bracket is operable to rotate 360 degrees about the swivel.
 4. The training aid of claim 3, wherein the swivel is attached to the first end of the cord by a ring.
 5. The training aid of claim 1, wherein the second bracket comprises a clip and a swivel, wherein the clip is releasably attached to the mount and the second bracket is operable to rotate 360 degrees about the swivel.
 6. The training aid of claim 5, wherein the swivel is attached to the second end of the cord by a ring.
 7. The training aid of claim 5, wherein the mount comprises a strap comprising a first end folded over and sewn to itself and a second end comprising a grommet, wherein the clip is releasably attached to the grommet.
 8. The training aid of claim 5, wherein the mount comprises a screw eye comprising a looped portion and a threaded portion, wherein the clip is releasably attached to the looped portion.
 9. The training aid of claim 1, wherein the first bracket comprises a grommet attaching the first end of the cord to itself forming a loop, wherein the grommet and the loop are embedded within the football.
 10. The training aid of claim 9, further comprising a washer secured to the first end of the cord above the grommet, wherein the washer is embedded within the football.
 11. A throwing and catching training aid comprising: a football comprising an outer skin and an inner bladder and having a prolate spheroid shape with a first end opposite a second end; a cord comprising a rubber elasticity and having a first end opposite a second end; a first bracket attaching the first end of the cord to the first end of the football; a second bracket attached to the second end of the cord; at least one swivel secured to one of the first bracket and the second bracket, wherein the football is operable to rotate 360 degrees about the swivel; and a mount securable to a structure, wherein the second bracket is secured to the mount.
 12. The throwing and catching training aid of claim 11, wherein the at least one swivel comprises a first swivel attached to the first bracket and a second swivel attached to the second bracket. 